Well, this is a new one for me.  Just got a WL book, it is covered in melted candle wax, front and back covers.  I RWAP'ed it and requested my credit back, so far no response.  Anybody else ever gotten a book like this?  I am baffled as to how the sender could think this was acceptable to post and so disappointed to get it as it was a wishlisted book (and I'm the only one wishing for it!)

Maybe they put the wax on it because they were out of plastic and hoped to protect the book from water. 

Never had that happen! 

Sure, Tom!  If you're out of plastic wrap, candle wax is the first thing to come to mind... (--NOT--) 

Tori, good that you 'rwap'ed it - but if you're trying to salvage the book, put it in the freezer (in ziploc-type bag) overnight.  The frozen wax should pop right off.

Never received one here, but I have seen one that had that done to it.  Figured it was part of a 'ceremony', curse or charm, I don't know.

I'll probably try the freezer trick, thank you Anna B. for the suggestion!  I wouldn't have thought of doing that!  I'm almost afraid to see what is underneath the wax, so much of it is covered, could be anything under there!

As to a ritual, it would be a strange book to curse as it's a manga!  Nothing occult about it.  

Let us know if it works - I've used it successfully on fabric (tablecloth) and on dishes that weren't actual candle holders...

Inquiring minds want to know - did the freezer trick work? LOL. Pat

UPDATE:  The freezing method sort of works.  I can semi peel the wax off, but have to work in a few minute increments before the wax becomes too soft again and the book has to go back into the freezer.  So it does work for small areas of wax.  Since the book I have is covered in wax, it's going to take days to strip all the wax off. 

Try wiping over the wax with a paper towel with some lighter fluid in the towel. The lighter fluid evaporates off so it has no effect on the book.

Thanks for letting us know. Pat

Yes, too bad the nature of wax is to soften quickly  - - 

I don't know about most households, but lighter fluid (or even charcoal starter and is there a difference?) isn't something I have on hand.  Most of us do have freezers...

Well Sender did give me my credit back after I asked her for it a second time.  No explanation as to why the book is covered in wax though. 

As Anna B. said, our household does not have lighter fluid or anything like it.  Thank you for the suggestion Chalres K. , but I'd be leary of trying that method anyway as the thought of putting an accelerant on an already flamable item makes me cringe.

It took years to get this book even though I'm the only one wishing for it, so I'm try to salvage this copy as best I can, but leave it on my WL in hopes of eventually getting a better copy.  Thanks all for your suggestions!

Glad that the sender refunded the credit. I'm surprised that they didn't tell you that they received it that way. What was the title and author of the book? My DD has several manga's and she might have a copy of the book.

By The Sword Volume 2 (By the Sword) :: Sanami Matoh

Amber C. I appreciate you looking, thanks!

Okay, maybe I've been cursed, but I just got ANOTHER book covered in candle wax.  This time it's not large swaths of wax, just drips and splatters, but still.  Completely different sender, not a WL book, one I requested.  Doesn't wax on the book count as soiled/stained, therefore it's unpostable?

Ok, that one sounds like it sat on an altar with candles.......did the book come from the same sender?

Doesn't wax on the book count as soiled/stained, therefore it's unpostable?

Yes, it counts, and yes, it's unpostable.

My rule of thumb, though, is if I can clean it off and make it a postable book again, I just do that and don't report it. I've gotten books with sticky stuff on them before but I keep a bottle of goo-gone and I just clean them up.

Jeanne G.  Different sender, that's what is so baffling that this is the second wax covered book I've gotten. 

Sara P.  Yes, I've wiped down dirty books before due to stickyness or other minor problem and not RWAP it.  If it were one or two little spots of wax, I wouldn't have RWAP it, unfortunately it has a lot of wax on it, not just one or two small spots.  

UPDATE:  Sender refunded credit.  They got it that way and didn't realize it was wax.  So it may have come from the same source as the other one, don't know.  

glad it's resolved, but that's a weird and rare thing to happen, then you had 2 in a month's time.  Sorry you are on a run of bad luck with swapping.